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Grading Rubric: Science Project Question

Name: ________________________________________________

Date: _____________

0 = No Evidence 1 = Some Evidence 2 = Clearly Evident

Is the topic original, or does the project present an original variation to a commonly done project? 0 1 2

Are there at least 3 sources of offline information that can easily be found on the subject? 0 1 2

Are the changes to the independent/dependent variables measurable using a number that represents a quantity such as a count, length, width, weight, voltage, time, etc.? Or, just as good, is the variable one that is simply present or not present? For example, • Lights ON in one trial, then lights OFF in another trial, • USE fertilizer in one trial, then DON'T USE fertilizer in another trial.

0 1 2

Is it possible to control other factors that might influence the data that is collected during the experiment, so that they do not interfere with the results? 0 1 2

Is the experiment safe to perform? 0 1 2

Does the student have all the materials and equipment needed for the project, or are they able to obtain them quickly and at a reasonable cost? For human behavior or sociology projects, does the student have access to a large enough sample of people to properly administer the survey?

0 1 2

Does the student have enough time to do the experiment more than once before the science fair? 0 1 2

Does the project meet all the rules and requirements for the science fair? 0 1 2

Has the student checked to see if the project will require SRC (Scientific Review Committee) approval? 0 1 2

Has the student avoided the bad topic areas listed in the table below? 0 1 2

Total Score (To convert to 100 points scale: Total Score x 5 )

______/ 20

Comments:

Topic to Avoid Why

Any topic that boils down to a simple preference or taste comparison. For example, "Which tastes better: Coke or Pepsi?"

Such experiments don't involve the kinds of numerical measurements we want in a science fair project. They are more of a survey than an experiment.

Most consumer product testing of the "Which is best?" type. This includes comparisons of popcorn, bubblegum, make-up, detergents, cleaning products, and paper towels.

These projects only have scientific validity if the Investigator fully understands the science behind why the product works and applies that understanding to the experiment. While many consumer products are easy to use, the science behind them is often at the level of a graduate student in college.

Any topic that requires people to recall things they did in the past.

The data tends to be unreliable.

Effect of colored light on plants Several people do this project at almost every science fair. You can be more creative!

Effect of music or talking on plants Difficult to measure.

Effect of running, music, video games, or almost anything on blood pressure

The result is either obvious (the heart beats faster when you run) or difficult to measure with proper controls (the effect of music).

Effect of color on memory, emotion, mood, taste, strength, etc.

Highly subjective and difficult to measure.

Any topic that requires measurements that will be extremely difficult to make or repeat, given your equipment.

Without measurement, you can't do science.

Any topic that requires dangerous, hard to find, expensive, or illegal materials.

We care about your safety and your parents' pocketbook.

Graphology or handwriting analysis Questionable scientific validity.

Astrology or ESP No scientific validity.

Any project in violation of state law, federal law, state science fair rules, or International Science & Engineering Fair rules.

In brief, you may not do a project that involves: • Unacceptable risk (physical or psychological) to

a human subject • Collection of tissue samples from living

humans or vertebrate animals • Drugging, pain, or injury to a live vertebrate

animal • Use of illegal or prohibited materials

Copyright © 2007 Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ You may print and distribute up to 200 copies of this document annually, at no charge, for personal and classroom educational use. When printing this document, you may NOT modify it in any way. For any other use, please contact Science Buddies. 2007/11/07

Grading Rubric: Science Project Research Plan

Name: Date:

0 = No Evidence 1 = Some Evidence 2 = Clearly Evident

Has the student identified all the keywords in the science fair project question? 0 1 2

Has the student developed a complete list of research questions using the question word table?

0 1 2

Have all irrelevant questions been thrown out? 0 1 2

Will the answers to the research questions provide the necessary information to design an experiment and predict the outcome?

0 1 2

Do one or more of the research questions specifically ask about any equipment or techniques needed to perform an experiment? (if applicable)

0 1 2

Total Score: (To convert to 100 points scale: Total Score x 10 )

_______/10_

Comments:

Copyright © 2007 Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

You may print and distribute up to 200 copies of this document annually, at no charge, for personal and classroom educational use. When printing this document, you may NOT modify it in any way. For any other use, please contact Science Buddies. 2007/11/07

Grading Rubric: Variables & Hypothesis

Name: Date:

0 = No Evidence 1 = Some Evidence 2 = Clearly Evident

Are the independent variable and dependent variable(s) measurable? 0 1 2

Can the student change the independent variable during the experiment? 0 1 2

Has the student identified all relevant dependent variables, and are they all caused by and dependent on the independent variable?

0 1 2

Has the student identified all relevant controlled variables? 0 1 2

Can all controlled variables be held at a steady value during the experiment?

0 1 2

Is the hypothesis based on information contained in the Research Paper? 0 1 2

Does the hypothesis include the independent and dependent variables? 0 1 2

Has the hypothesis been worded in such a way that it can be tested in the experiment?

0 1 2

Total Score: (To convert to 100 points scale: Total Score x 6.25 )

_______/16_

Comments:

Copyright © 2007 Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

You may print and distribute up to 200 copies of this document annually, at no charge, for personal and classroom educational use. When printing this document, you may NOT modify it in any way. For any other use, please contact Science Buddies. 2007/11/07

Grading Rubric: Materials & Procedures

Name: Date:

0 = No Evidence 1 = Some Evidence 2 = Clearly Evident

Are all necessary materials/equipment listed in the Materials List? 0 1 2

Have the materials been described in sufficient detail? 0 1 2

Have exact quantities been listed for items where more than one is needed?

0 1 2

Has a description and size for all experimental and control groups been included in the Procedures List?

0 1 2

Is there a step-by-step list of all procedures? 0 1 2

Are the procedures listed in a clear, logical order, like a recipe? 0 1 2

Is there a description of the procedure to change the independent variable and how to measure that change?

0 1 2

Is there an explanation of the procedure to measure the resulting change in the dependent variable or variables?

0 1 2

Is there an explanation of how the controlled variables will be maintained at a constant value?

0 1 2

Does the procedure detail the number of times to repeat the experiment (should be at least three times), and is that number of repetitions sufficient to provide reliable data?

0 1 2

Total Score: (To convert to 100 points scale: Total Score x 5 )

_______/20_

Comments:

Copyright © 2007 Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

You may print and distribute up to 200 copies of this document annually, at no charge, for personal and classroom educational use. When printing this document, you may NOT modify it in any way. For any other use, please contact Science Buddies. 2007/11/07

Grading Rubric: Data Tables & Graphs

Name: Date:

0 = No Evidence 1 = Some Evidence 2 = Clearly Evident

Is there sufficient data to know whether the hypothesis is correct? 0 1 2

Has the data been summarized with an average, if appropriate? Are all calculations (if any) correct?

0 1 2

Is the chart labeled properly, clearly identifying the data types collected and the units of measurement for each?

0 1 2

Has the appropriate graph type been selected to display the data? 0 1 2

Does the graph have a title and does the title clearly describe what the data is about?

0 1 2

Is the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis?

0 1 2

Are the axes properly labeled, accurately describing the data being presented including units of measurement?

0 1 2

Is the data plotted correctly and clearly on the graph? 0 1 2

Does the graph have the proper scale (the correct high and low values on the axes)?

0 1 2

Has the proper spelling and capitalization been used? 0 1 2

Total Score: (To convert to 100 points scale: Total Score x 5 )

_______/20

Comments:

Copyright © 2007 Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved.

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ You may print and distribute up to 200 copies of this document annually, at no charge, for personal and classroom educational use. When printing this document, you may NOT modify it in any way. For any other use, please contact Science Buddies. 2007/11/07

Grading Rubric: Conclusions

Name: Date:

0 = No Evidence 1 = Some Evidence 2 = Clearly Evident

Does the student summarize the results and use it to support the findings? 0 1 2

Do the conclusions state that the student proved or disproved his/her hypothesis?

0 1 2

Does the student summarize and evaluate the experimental procedure, making comments about its success and effectiveness?

0 1 2

Does the student suggest changes in the experimental procedure and/or possibilities for further study?

0 1 2

Did the student use the proper spelling, punctuation, and capitalization? 0 1 2

Total Score: (To convert to 100 points scale: Total Score x 10 )

_______/10_

Comments:

Copyright © 2007 Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

You may print and distribute up to 200 copies of this document annually, at no charge, for personal and classroom educational use. When printing this document, you may NOT modify it in any way. For any other use, please contact Science Buddies. 2007/11/07

Grading Rubric: Bibliography

Name: Date:

0 = No Evidence 1 = Some Evidence 2 = Clearly Evident

Are there at least 3 written sources listed (NOT including Web pages)? 0 1 2

Is there a variety of types of sources, including scholarly journals and books? 0 1 2

Are the sources of information relevant to the project topic and do they cover the critical terms and concepts for the project?

0 1 2

Does each of the sources include all of the information necessary to properly identify the source (author’s name, the title, the date, and where it was published)?

0 1 2

Has the proper format been followed for each of the sources? 0 1 2

Total Score: (To convert to 100 points scale: Total Score x 10 )

_______/10 _

Comments:

Copyright © 2007 Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved.

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ You may print and distribute up to 200 copies of this document annually, at no charge, for personal and classroom educational use. When printing this document, you may NOT modify it in any way. For any other use, please contact Science Buddies. 2007/11/07

Grading Rubric: Final Report

Name: Date:

0 = No Evidence 1 = Some Evidence 2 = Clearly Evident

Does the final report include the following elements:

o Title page 0 1 2

o Abstract 0 1 2

o Table of Contents 0 1 2

o Question, Variables, and Hypothesis 0 1 2

o Background Research 0 1 2

o Materials List 0 1 2

o Experimental Procedures 0 1 2

o Data analysis and discussion (including data table and graph(s)) 0 1 2

o Conclusions 0 1 2

o Acknowledgements 0 1 2

o Bibliography 0 1 2

Does the abstract include a short summary of the hypothesis, materials & procedures, results, and conclusions?

0 1 2

Did the student use the proper punctuation, capitalization, and spelling? 0 1 2

Total Score: (To convert to 100 points scale: Total Score x 3.85 )

_______/26_

Comments:

Copyright © 2007 Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved.

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ You may print and distribute up to 200 copies of this document annually, at no charge, for personal and classroom educational use. When printing this document, you may NOT modify it in any way. For any other use, please contact Science Buddies. 2007/11/07

Grading Rubric: Display Board

Name: Date:

0 = No Evidence 1 = Some Evidence 2 = Clearly Evident

Does the display board include the following sections:

o Title 0 1 2

o Abstract 0 1 2

o Question 0 1 2

o Variables and hypothesis 0 1 2

o Background research 0 1 2

o Materials list 0 1 2

o Experimental procedure 0 1 2

o Data analysis and discussion including data chart(s) & graph(s) 0 1 2

o Conclusions (including ideas for future research) 0 1 2

o Acknowledgements 0 1 2

o Bibliography 0 1 2

Are the sections on the display board organized like a newspaper so that they are easy to follow?

0 1 2

Is the text font large enough to be read easily (at least 16 points)? 0 1 2

Does the title catch people's attention, and is the title font large enough to be read from across the room?

0 1 2

Did the student use pictures and diagrams to effectively convey information about the science fair project?

0 1 2

Is the display board neat? 0 1 2

Has the proper spelling and capitalization been used on all elements on the display board?

0 1 2

Total Score: (To convert to 100 points scale: Total Score x 2.94 )

_______/34

Comments:

Copyright © 2007 Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

You may print and distribute up to 200 copies of this document annually, at no charge, for personal and classroom educational use. When printing this document, you may NOT modify it in any way. For any other use, please contact Science Buddies. 2007/11/07

Name: _________________________________________________ Score: _______________________

Oral Presentation Rubric

4—Excellent 3—Good 2—Fair 1—Needs ImprovementDelivery • Holds attention of entire

audience with the use of direct eye contact, seldom looking at notes

• Speaks with fluctuation in volume and inflection to maintain audience interest and emphasize key points

• Consistent use of direct eye contact with audience, but still returns to notes

• Speaks with satisfactory variation of volume and inflection

• Displays minimal eye contact with audience, while reading mostly from the notes

• Speaks in uneven volume with little or no inflection

• Holds no eye contact with audience, as entire report is read from notes

• Speaks in low volume and/or monotonous tone, which causes audience to disengage

Content/Organization

• Demonstrates full knowledge by answering all class questions with explanations and elaboration

• Provides clear purpose and subject; pertinent examples, facts, and/or statistics; supports conclusions/ideas with evidence

• Is at ease with expected answers to all questions, without elaboration

• Has somewhat clear purpose and subject; some examples, facts, and/or statistics that support the subject; includes some data or evidence that supports conclusions

• Is uncomfortable with information and is able to answer only rudimentary questions

• Attempts to define purpose and subject; provides weak examples, facts, and/or statistics, which do not adequately support the subject; includes very thin data or evidence

• Does not have grasp of information and cannot answer questions about subject

• Does not clearly define subject and purpose; provides weak or no support of subject; gives insufficient support for ideas or conclusions

Enthusiasm/Audience Awareness

• Demonstrates strong enthusiasm about topic during entire presentation

• Significantly increases audience understanding and knowledge of topic; convinces an audience to recognize the validity and importance of the subject

• Shows some enthusiastic feelings about topic

• Raises audience understanding and awareness of most points

• Shows little or mixed feelings about the topic being presented

• Raises audience understanding and knowledge of some points

• Shows no interest in topic presented

• Fails to increase audience understanding of knowledge of topic

Comments

4

Abstract Instructions

The abstract is a paragraph that includes the purpose, hypothesis, procedure, results, conclusion, and reflection of your experiment. Abstracts should be single-spaced using 12 pt type. Abstracts may not exceed 250 words and must be typed. Do not attach your abstract to your board. Turn in your abstract on the day of your presentation. Abstract should be typed on the ISEF official Abstract and Certification Form. Be sure to fill out the form completely. An interactive abstract from is available online at http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/document/abstrct.pdf Writing a Scientific Abstract

o First page of paper after the Title Page o Serves as a basic summary of the experiment Begin with: o Title of Project, o Your Name o School, City, State

Three paragraphs with headings:

o Purpose � Guiding Question � Statement of interest � Data � Who would benefit from the research

o Procedure � Quick summary of the methods that is not too detailed.

o Data � What did your final averaged data say about the results

o Conclusion � What did the results tell you � Was your hypothesis supported or not supported � Why do you think the results came out the way they did � What would you do differently to make sure the results are accurate

o Typed single-spaced: Use a 12-point font. o 250 words or less: Choose your words carefully and include all the needed information. o The abstract is due the day of your presentation. Sample Abstract Template (You should edit this to fit your own experiment) Purpose For my science fair project, I did an experiment whose purpose was to determine ___________. I was interested in this experiment because ________________________. The results of my experiment would be of interest to ____ (professions or specific people) ______ because____________. Procedures To do my experiment, I _____________. Then I ________. Finally, I __________. I recorded my data using a __________________ and chose to display it using a ________ because _____________. Data The data showed that my first experimental group had an average of _________. My second group had an average of _______. My third group had an average of __________. Conclusion The results of my experiment showed that __________________. My hypothesis was proven _________________. Based on my results, I think that ___________________. One thing I might change to make the experimental results more accurate if I did the experiment again is ________________________________________________________.

2

DISPLAY BOARD HELP:

- Use this diagram to plan your display board. All of these categories must be on your display board.

- Variables are optional, but a good idea to include. - Pictures can be added but are not necessary. - No living materials or items from your experiment can be on your display board.

LAYOUT

EXAMPLE

Ideas for Science Fair Posters